2. Names for Santa Claus around the world:
- Brazil Papai Noel
- Chile Viejo Pascuero (“Old Man Christmas”)
- China Dun Che Lao Ren (“Christmas Old Man”)
- Finland Joulupukki
- Hawaii Kanakaloka
- Hungary Mikulas (St. Nicholas)
- NorwayJulenissen (“Christmas gnome”)
- RussiaDed Moroz (“Grandfather Frost”)
- United Kingdom Father Christmas
3. I can't wait for the "A Christmas Story" movie marathon to begin on TBS this Christmas day. One of my favorite lines from the movie is "Randy lay their like a slug. It was his only defense."
4. The first White House Christmas party was held in December 1800. President and Mrs. Adams gave it for their four-year-old granddaughter Suzannah, who was living with them. The Adams' invited the children of "official" Washingtonions to the party (courtesy While House Historical Assn).
5. From the Pew Research Center:
- 81% of Americans believe Jesus was born in a manger.
- 75% of Americans believe that the three wise men were guided by a star to see Jesus
- 74% believe that Angels proclaimed Jesus' birth to Shepherds
- 73% believe that Mary was a virgin at the time of Jesus' birth
- 64% of Americans believe all 4 of the above happened
6. President Calvin Coolidge was the first chief executive to preside over the National Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in 1923. First Lady Lou Henry Hoover established the custom of decorating an official tree in the White House in 1929 (courtesy While House Historical Assn).
7. Wrapping paper as we know it today was introduced in 1917 by two brothers in Kansas City. Tissue paper was the wrapping of choice for presents and after their store ran out of tissue paper, they started selling fancy French envelope lining paper. This decorative paper has been used ever since to wrap millions of presents. By the way, the Hall Brothers' later formed a company - they called it Hallmark.
8. Nearly 71% of adults believe that women are better gift wrappers than men. And, 74% of adults say that the female head of household is most likely to wrap the majority of the gifts.
9. How people around the world say Merry Christmas
- Joyeux Noel! - France
- Zalig Kerstfeest! - Belgium
- Frohliche Weihnachten! - Germany
- Buon Natale! - Italy
- Merii Kurisumasu! - Japan
- Milad Mubarak! - Morocco
- Eftihismena Christougenna! - Greece
10. From my family (Tina, Hannah, Andrew, Grace, Gabrielle) to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
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